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ALL-CLASS REUNION |
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The weekend of June 25-27, 2004, was one to remember for about 130 alumni, faculty, and guests (mostly spouses of alumni) of the former Oblate minor seminary “Our Lady of the Ozarks College.” The occasion was an all-class reunion held in Belleville, IL, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. This first-ever attempt to bring together former OLO students was the fruit of almost two years of planning, researching names and addresses, and prodding by class chairmen. The originators of the reunion idea and co-chairmen of the event were Pat Miner ('69) and Chuck Deeg (’70). The fact that there was representation of all but three of 27 possible classes indicates the level of commitment of both the planning committee and the alumni.
Participants came from all over the continental USA, but also from as far away as Luxembourg, Hawaii, Japan, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Alaska.
The former minor seminary, located in Carthage, Missouri, and fondly called OLO by its students, was purchased for back-taxes in 1944 by the Oblates of the former Central Province. It operated as a high school and junior college seminary until 1966. From 1966, only high school seminarians attended the school as the junior college moved to Lewis University in Lockport, IL. The last class graduated in 1971.
Participants at the reunion ranged in age from the nonagenarian, Fr. Boniface Wittenbrink, OMI, to a member of the final freshman class, Sylvan Fix. In fact, Fr. Boni was one of the first to learn that there was a former Methodist College for sale in southwestern Missouri, a fact which he quickly pointed out to the Oblate provincial, Fr. Alphonse Simon, OMI.
Fifteen former faculty and staff members were on hand to swap stories with alumni, to comment on who had aged most gracefully, and to receive thanks for the contributions the Oblates had made to the students’ lives.
A highlight of the celebration was a Eucharist where the presiding priest was Fr. Justin Huelsing, OMI, the first student from OLO to be ordained a priest. He celebrates his golden jubilee of ordination this year. Fr. Jim Allen, OMI, both alumnus and former faculty member, preached the homily. Fr. Lou Studer, OMI, Shrine Director and alumnus concelebrated and gave a special welcome to the visitors.
Besides the Mass, activities included a welcoming reception, class photos, an “OLO Field Day” fondly referred to now as “Geezer Games,” a box-lunch picnic, the banquet, and a slide show of old photos.
Alumnus, Pat Miner (’69) summed up the feelings of most participants in a post-reunion e-mail: I had hoped our reunion would be a clear expression of love and respect for you and your brother Oblates. That hope was more than capably exceeded. There are so many layers of inspiring and tender moments that were harnessed by so many dedicated pilgrims these past few days. One of the great experiences for me was the Saturday liturgy. The pews were filled with men overtaken by emotion and fellowship.
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OUR
LADY OF THE OZARKS
